Which group fitness certification is best for you?

We created this essential quiz to help you choose the perfect certification for YOU based on your goals, learning style, and more.

There are many options for Group Fitness Certifications on the market.

That’s what makes it tough to choose the right certification for yourself!

But worry not!

This article will review the top Group Training Certifications and ways you can get involved with the right credentials.

The organizations we highlight include ISSA, NASM, ACE, AFAA, and ACSM.

You will gain the following knowledge about Group Fitness Instructor certifications:

  • Certification exam information
  • Top Group Fitness Certifications in the fitness industry
  • Course content, study materials, required books
  • Exams and pricing

We promise that upon reading this article, you will be more confident in deciding what is the best Group Fitness Certification to get based on your needs!

Let’s dive in!

We highly recommend that you take our helpful quiz to find the best group fitness certification for you.

AFAA, ACE, ISSA, ACSM textbooks facing the viewer with laptop open, ready to study

Why are we qualified to recommend the best group fitness certifications?

At Trainer Academy, we specialize in all areas of fitness careers. Our team includes numerous group fitness instructors, certified with a wide array of the best group fitness certifications in the industry, including, but not limited to, all the certifications on this list.

Our trainers have wide levels of expertise, working across a range of different employment types and business sizes, ranging from boutique group fitness studios to large chain gyms that offer group exercise. We’ve coached group cycling, group fitness, HIIT-style classes, CrossFit, and more.

With that said, we have a very in-depth understanding of how all of these certifications work in practice, which ones stack up, and which ones fall short. You can be sure that if you follow our guidance, you’ll be well on your way to a successful career in group exercise.

Our Top Group Personal Trainer Certification Pick

ISSA Group Fitness Instructor

  • The #1 rated and reviewed certification program
  • NCCA-accredited exam option
  • 12 class formats covered

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A Quick Look at the Best Group Fitness Instructor Certifications

Best Group Fitness Instructor Reviews

Best Overall: ISSA Group Exercise Instructor

COST
SUPPORT
CURRICULUM
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DIFFICULTY
OVERALL

PROS

thumb_up_line Best distance-based learning thumb_up_line Effective study materials thumb_up_line Lenient exam administration 

CONS

thumb_down_line Relatively expensive thumb_down_line Exam is considered ‘easy’

Summary: The ISSA has been the leader in distance-based health and fitness learning for decades and, in that time, has learned to do it the best.


The ISSA Group Exercise Instructor Certification is on the more expensive side, but there is definitely a good reason for that. The tools and information brought forth for a group fitness instructor are unmatched.

ISSA’S group fitness certification teaches you how to instruct up to 12 different exercise formats such as HIIT, Bootcamp, Kickboxing, Step, Stretch, Muscle Conditioning, alongside exercises for other classes. 


With ISSA, you are certain of getting a good deal that is value-loaded and cost-effective.

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Starting at $639.20

Prices listed are non-promotional, full-price, non-member prices.

ISSA stands for The International Sports Sciences Association and was founded in 1988 to promote science-based health and fitness education. ISSA did an excellent job of evolving with the times and is currently one of the leading global providers in fitness education.

The Group Fitness Instructor certification is one that will add on to the curriculum that a personal trainer knows and applies the information well to a group setting. ISSA’s GFI certification teaches strength training techniques and responsibilities and answers all of the questions a future class trainer might have. This certificate is always one of the top choices among employers due to the popularity of the organization in the fitness world.

If you plan to pursue your ISSA group fitness instructor certification and do not yet have a personal trainer certification, we highly recommend looking into the ISSA Elite Trainer package, where you acquire the Group Exercise Certification, ISSA nutritionist cert, and the ISSA personal trainer certification at an affordable cost of $999. Bundling a nutritionist certification along with training both individuals and groups gives you a wide skill base from which to make considerable money, combining your nutrition coach job with your training.

This will mean over time, you will have more job opportunities and also further knowledge from which to train people.

At Trainer Academy, we always recommend investing in yourself and your skills, so head over to ISSA’s site to see if the deal is available.

We have ISSA exam info to help clarify what you need to know before the certification tests.

Best Class Design: NASM Group Fitness Instructor

COST
SUPPORT
CURRICULUM
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DIFFICULTY
OVERALL

PROS

thumb_up_line Excellent class design curriculum thumb_up_line Highly-reputable organization

CONS

thumb_down_line Difficult final exam

Summary: The National Academy of Sports Medicine is a stalwart organization in the fitness game, so it’s fair to assume that gaining NASM Group Fitness Instructor Certification will take your group fitness instructor career in the right direction.

The NASM Group Fitness Instructor program stands out in particular for its meticulous details with regard to class structure and design.

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Starting at $299

Prices listed are non-promotional, full-price, non-member prices.

To get a wider understanding of its scope, we have a thorough NASM review. We also have NASM flashcards, NASM test questions to help with the NASM exam, and comparisons against other mainstream certs like NASM vs ACE and NASM vs ISSA.

NASM is currently running an Elite Trainer bundle, which will give you 6 different certifications, including group fitness, training, nutrition, and more. While this is going to be more expensive than just a straight-up group exercise certification, it is good value for what you get from each category.

The curriculum lacks some of the depth of our top pick, but NASM is always at the top, and they offer amazing value for fitness professionals interested in becoming a group exercise instructor. NASM has the experience and reputation, so you know you are going to learn how to enable clients to succeed through motivation, development, and communication strategies, all in a group setting.

The common fitness classes and workout settings will be cycling, flexibility, strength training with or without equipment, kickboxing, and more. Some classes combine these elements as well, so it’s good to know how to mix these styles when needed. 

Like we’ve said, the more qualifications you can rack up, the more likely you are to be hired by clients and gyms because you stand out from the other trainers out there. With the Elite Trainer, NASM also gives you the advantage to be re-certified for life, which is tough to turn down so visit their website to see if this deal is still around.

NASM Group Personal Training Specialization

Best for Small Group Training: NASM Group Personal Training

COST
SUPPORT
CURRICULUM
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DIFFICULTY
OVERALL

PROS

thumb_up_line Great for training 4-10 clients at a time thumb_up_line Excellent business skills

CONS

thumb_down_line Limited in scope thumb_down_line Challenging exam

Summary: Group personal training is a growing segment of the group fitness training market. NASM’s Group Personal Training certification focuses heavily on this segment of the market, and is a great certification for small group training.

Typically, group personal training involves training anywhere from 2-10 members at a time using traditional resistance training or circuit-type training. It focuses more on traditional periodization as opposed to choreographed style routines found in large group training classes.

This emphasis tends to produce more individualized results for each client and often costs people less than solo training, so the small-group format often produces some of the best results. 

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Starting at $359

Prices listed are non-promotional, full-price, non-member prices.

The NASM Group Personal Training certification gives you a range of skills needed to succeed as a small group trainer. These include the standard kinetic chain knowledge from standard personal training along with anatomy/physiology basics. 

You’ll also learn program design and coaching methodologies with a focus on the small group setting. These include everything from exercise selection, program design, to cueing tips when coaching in the small group setting.

Finally, this certification does a great job in teaching you how to build a business around small group training, which is different from both 1-on-1 personal training business models and large group training.

Overall, this somewhat unique option from NASM stands out since it addresses a newer training model that is within the scope of group fitness but does not fit into the old-school music, dance, and aerobics style group training.

Most Versatile: ACE Group Fitness Instructor

COST
SUPPORT
CURRICULUM
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DIFFICULTY
OVERALL

PROS

thumb_up_line Robust suite of study materials thumb_up_line Extremely affordable packages

CONS

thumb_down_line Limited scope when it comes to exercise methodology thumb_down_line The exam is on the difficult end of the scale

Summary: The American Council on Exercise Group Fitness Instructor certification provides a robust and reasonably priced option.

In typical ACE fashion, the training methodologies and choreography are great for new group fitness coaches and seasoned trainers alike.

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Starting at $285

Prices listed are non-promotional, full-price, non-member prices.

The ACE GFI is a versatile group training certification that prepares you for a wide range of group fitness class styles. Courses covered range from dance fitness, strength training, HIIT, Barre, and more.

Of course, you will need to invest in deeper knowledge of each to deliver the best group fitness class in each modality, but with the ACE GFI, you’ll have the foundation laid upfront to expand upon as your career progresses. ACE certification brings with it great communication skills and fundamentals of human movement, which are applied well to this group setting.

Collectively, the ACE GFI certification prepares you to lead memorable classes across the many variations of group exercise styles. From motivation techniques to music selection and program design, you’ll be ready to kick off your group fitness career. Ace certification offers many components overlooked by other certification programs. If you expand to their many other certifications, you will gain coaching skills through their webinars, a host of example programs and exercise formats, and ACE offers many extra classes that help you understand your role in fitness and changing a client’s lifestyle.

Best Holistic Approach: ACSM Certified Group Exercise Instructor

COST
SUPPORT
CURRICULUM
flag Created with Sketch Beta.
DIFFICULTY
OVERALL

PROS

thumb_up_line Deep educational scope thumb_up_line Very reputable within the industry

CONS

thumb_down_line The base package excludes study materials

Summary: The American College of Sports Medicine Group Exercise Instructor is a great asset to an experienced fitness coach. The ACSM GEI is great if you already know what you’re doing well, and have experience teaching group fitness. It’s somewhat less great for brand-new Group Fitness Instructors.

However, you do get the credibility of a recognized organization like ACSM, which was the first recognized personal training certification. 

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Starting at $299

Prices listed are non-promotional, full-price, non-member prices.

The ACSM GEI does a solid job of teaching motivation techniques to ensure your group fitness clients get a positive overall experience. This includes lifestyle support as well as specific methods to keep clients engaged during the toughest group training sessions. They include a level of videos and quizzes, which help master the content.

Participants in this group exercise program will learn a bit regarding typical training topics like application, endurance, injuries, guidelines, and all the basic considerations of group exercise training. Other topics like physiology, in-depth movements, and muscle conditioning are touched on more within accompanying certifications, like personal training. Everyone should know that going in, so they don’t expect the level of depth and exercise science passion found in a traditional personal training cert.

Overall, the ACSM is not our favorite choice, but it’s still very solid for training your abilities to make long-lasting impacts on your clients’ health and fitness.

What to look for when choosing a group fitness certification?

Make sure to consider what type of group fitness trainer you want to become. Look at the types of classes you want to teach, and any missing skills you’d like to master. Then consider your budget and if you have a gym you want to work at specifically, find out which certifications they prefer.

Each of these certifications focuses on slightly different elements.

For example:

  • ACE gives you better motivational coaching skills
  • ISSA teaches you business skills
  • NASM has the best exercise science coverage

So, if your goal is to build a business and you need to learn some fundamentals, go with ISSA.

If you want to learn the best way to energize a class and keep them inspired throughout the workout, consider ACE.

NASM gives you a bit of everything; however, they offer two certifications.

If you’d like to coach large groups, go with the NASM Group Fitness Instructor. If you desire to work with small groups, choose the NASM Group Personal Training certification.

So, it all depends on your goals.

Accreditation

When it comes to getting certified, legitimacy and authenticity should be a top priority. When it comes to identifying these two factors, accreditation is the way to go.

There are many types of fitness certifications, and a big differentiator is going to be found with accreditation.

Accreditation is sort of like a certification for a certification agency.

It signifies that what you’re getting when you sign-up or purchase is the highest standard in content and administration.

When it comes to the world of health and fitness certifications, you’ll find that the top programs and those with a high degree of industry recognition are NCCA accredited certifications.

The National Commission for Certifying Agencies is the body that ensures that certifying institutions are providing relevant and correct education and doing it in a way that benefits the learner.

There are some other accrediting bodies. One outlier you’ll come across with the top-tier certs is DEAC, short for distance education accrediting commission.

That’s the body that accredits ISSA certifications.

The International Sports Sciences Association, or ISSA, was built up to be a distance-based institute, so in order to authenticate their method of education delivery, they had to go a different route.

Accreditation is great to tell you which certs are good, but it also helps you identify and avoid the bad ones.

The digital landscape is rife with scams, especially in the educational sector. 

Fitness certification is probably one of the most popular searches when it comes to online courses, so it certainly makes sense to keep your wits about you.

Let’s explore the accreditation for each of these certs.

CertificationAccreditation
ACENCCA
ACSMNCCA
AFAANCCA
ISSADEAC
NASMNCCA

Study Materials Rating

The key to success in any situation is preparation, and when it comes to getting certified, preparation hinges on the quality of study materials you have access to.

This is another crucial factor in helping you determine which group exercise certification is your best option.

While some pile it on thick and give you a variety of options, others are a little on the skimpy side.

What we’ll do is give each certification a rating out of 10 based on the quality and variety of study materials out of the box.

This rating won’t count any prep material from third parties or first-party material that’s only available as an optional extra.

CertificationStudy Material Rating
ACE8
ACSM5
AFAA6
ISSA7
NASM8

Both ACE and AFAA have a more robust offering when it comes to standard study materials.

We would even consider these to be the gold standard when it comes to Group Fitness Training certs.

This, together with the multiple packages (3 and 4, respectively), adds value in the form of variety and options.

It’s important to note that AFAA’s study package offerings are modeled after the NASM structure.

AFAA is, in fact, a subsidiary of NASM, so on that basis, the same organization has two competing group fitness programs.

Preparation quote

This could perhaps be a reason why the NASM branded Group Personal Trainer Specialization (GPTS) is a much leaner option than the AFAA Group Fitness Certification (GFC).

NASM may be aiming to push some of the AFAA certs ahead of their own versions just for some added traction, but of course, this is just our speculation.

Needless to say, both AFAA and ACE have great study materials.

On the opposite end of this meter, you have ACSM coming in with nothing more than the exam registration.

Now, of course, you can still purchase some basic study material in addition to purchasing the exam, but as we said, we’re going to score based on what you get with a standard purchase.

In any case, the options available from ACSM are pretty bare-bones, even if you purchase separately and go down that route.

ISSA and NASM do a good job of giving you exactly what you need right out the box, but it doesn’t provide the depth of choice and variety you’d get from the ACE group cert or AFAA.

Trainer Academy is adequately prepared with premium study materials that you can easily study, understand, assimilate, and retain within a limited time.

You can choose to make use of these MVP packages to have a 99% pass rate inclusive of our money-back guarantee offer.

Kindly make use of the links below to access them.

Using any of these packages gives you access to our time-tested study techniques such as spaced repetition flashcards, mnemonics, practice exams, etc. which are meant to help you study with ease.

Certification Cost

The quality of the study packages is one thing, but how much they cost will give a better view of their value.

This will also determine what you can afford realistically and may factor into your final decision.

The group fitness certs in this article have quite a wide distribution in terms of pricing, with many factors coming into play.

One of the primary factors for certification cost is going to be the textbook and study materials.

ACE, ACSM, AFAA, and ISSA group exercise certifications showing the covers along with a journal and sharpie with pen

The textbooks will come in various pricing structures and package deals depending on the organization.

Let’s have a look at the pricing structure. 

CertificationCost (cheapest option)
ACE Group Fitness Certification$499
ACSM Certified Group Exercise Instructor$239 (with membership)
AFAA Group Fitness Instructor$399
ISSA Certified Group Exercise Instructor$799
NASM Group Personal Training Specialization$499

From this, we can see that the ACSM, or the American College of Sports Medicine, certification program is the cheapest option. Rightfully so, considering you get very little with the initial purchase.

ACSM also presents the option of purchasing a membership, which reduces the price from $299 to $239.

So what exactly is the membership?

It’s basically an annual fee that grants you access to some premium content, resources, and networks, including student support, career acceleration, and CEU opportunities.

It also gives you a discount on any and all ACSM purchases made subsequent to gaining membership.

From our own inspection, membership with ACSM is certainly worth it, especially with the discounts and resources in mind. The basic membership (Student) costs a mere $10 per year!

Next up, from cheapest to priciest, we have  AFAA Group Fitness Instructor. This certification is what we would rate as the best value for money.

It is very well-priced and comes with a decent study package, even with the cheapest option.

AFAA is run by NASM, so you can rest assured you’ll have access to the best support and administration at a very agreeable price point.

Next, we have our perennial twin titans, ACE, and NASM. These two institutions often have evenly matched stats across the board, and the cost of their group instructor certifications is no different.

Both NASM and ACE come in with a price point of $499; however, we would say that ACE has a better deal simply based on the amount of study material options presented.

Not to be outdone, NASM has its own bargaining chip in the form of a lifetime certification.

That’s right; the NASM Group Personal Training Specialization does not expire, nor will it require renewal of any sort.

Last on the list, and the most expensive by far, is ISSA Certified Group Exercise Instructor.

With a whopping price point of $799, this cert costs as much as most standard certifications on their roster. 

ISSA is a great certifying agency, certainly a top 5 institution, but 800 bucks is a bit pricey for a group fitness course, even with all the bells and whistles.

One important thing to consider when weighing out your options in terms of cost is the fact that most certifying agencies often slash prices periodically for a limited time.

These limited-time offers happen quite often to the point where you’ll hardly have to deal with the standard price.

So while we have managed to provide you with a fair account of how much these certs cost, you’re very likely able to score a decent discount.

To benefit from these offers and discounts, a quick click on the links below will give you access to them.

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Average study time

Each certification in this article presents its own set of unique challenges. Because of this, it is important to gauge how much time you will need to complete your fitness instructor training and pass the exam. So how long does it take to become a fitness trainer or class instructor?

How much time you will need also hinges on how much time you’re allowed and in the case of these group fitness certs, that comes in the form of an enrollment period.

Let’s look at each cert’s enrollment period and from there, figure out how much time you should take within that window to adequately prepare.

CertificationEnrollment Period
ACE Group Fitness Certification6 months
ACSM Certified Group Exercise Instructor3, 6, 12, or 24 months
AFAA Group Fitness Instructor6 months
ISSA Certified Group Exercise Instructor6 months
NASM Group Personal Training Specialization6 months

From the data, we can immediately see that ACSM has the most flexible allowance when it comes to the enrollment period.

You can enroll from 3 months up to two years, allowing you to truly learn at your own pace.

The rest of the certifications give you 6 months in which to prepare and write the final test.

ISSA provides a nifty guided study plan. This plan allows you to effectively break down your study time into time-managed segments that are easy to follow through a ten-week guided schedule.

NASM students take 10-12 weeks on average from enrollment to test readiness while AFAA students range between 6-8 weeks of preparation.

Here at Trainer Academy, we actually provide study blueprints that help you manage your time effectively. 

We understand that no individual situation is the same. Each person has their own unique commitments and time constraints.

You may have a full-time job, other academic obligations, or social/family commitments.

There’s also the possibility that life just happens. You may fall ill or have to deal with a tragedy. Maybe the entire world falls apart, who knows?

But with our Study Blueprints, you can set and modify your approach to time management from a drawn-out, relaxed approach to a crunch time cram situation. It’s all up to you and your circumstances.

Click here to find these study materials.

Exam Layout and Passing Grade

The next stop in our grand exploration of group fitness certification is the layout of the exams.

This is one of those categories where you can start to draw clear separations between the certs and start determining which one is best for you.

It’s also a great metric by which you can figure out where to focus your exam prep energy.

Let’s look at the stats real quick.

CertificationNumber of QuestionsPassing Grade
ACE Group Fitness Certification15062.5%
ACSM Certified Group Exercise Instructor15065%
AFAA Group Fitness Instructor12070%
ISSA Certified Group Exercise Instructor16075%
NASM Group Personal Training Specialization12070%

From this, we can tell that most of the exams for fitness professionals range between 120 to 160 questions, all multiple-choice.

It’s important to remember that when it comes to total exam questions, you will get a number of unscored questions that go with the scored questions.

The scored questions count towards your final grade, while the unscored questions are not counted. 

That’s because these questions are simply there to assess their viability for future testing. You’re basically a guinea pig for future exam questions in that regard.

The tricky thing with unscored questions is that you’ll never really know which ones they are, so the best advice is to just go through the whole paper and answer all questions.

As for passing grades, we see quite a range of scores from 62.5% with ACE and NSCA, all the way up to 75% with ISSA.

One important caveat regarding this ACE fitness certification is the fact that the final test score is actually based on points and not a percentage. 

Ease of testing is something to consider when we look at how to become a fitness instructor.

The percentage we’ve provided is calculated based on the required amount of points vs. the total available.

This way, we can maintain consistency with the percentage-based data from the other strength training certifications.

ISSA has the highest required passing grade of 75%.

You would easily assume that makes it the hardest of all the group fitness certs on this list, yeah? Well, think again.

ISSA certifications consistently rank as the easiest to pass in terms of pass rates.

The way the ISSA exam is administered (open book/self-paced) allows little room for failure, but at the same time, this exam format still manages to produce top-notch trainers.

Once you’ve passed your exam, it means you’re officially certified; however, your certification won’t last forever.

To ensure you have covered all the bases before going for your final exams, we recommend you make use of the free practice test available on Trainer Academy to assess your level of preparedness after using the free study guides also. In addition to the group exercise cert we have materials for other tests like the NSCA CSCS exam, including a CSCS study book and a practice CSCS test.

Continuing Education Requirements

Once you’ve become a certified group fitness instructor, the clock is ticking between the time of your certification and the expiration date by which you will need to recertify.

Recertification is necessary in order to keep your skills sharp as a trainer, as well as to get you up to speed with any developments in knowledge or research, or trends that may have arisen from the time you initially gained your cert.

The group fitness certifications in this article require recertification, but in order to do that, you will need to fulfill certain requirements.

One of the major requirements in this regard is the fulfillment of continuing education.

This comes in the form of continuing education units or CEUs for short.

These time-based credits are earned through participation in educational activities from your cert agency’s approved CEU providers.

Let’s see how each certification handles the CEU requirements to give you an idea of what it will take to recertify.

CertificationRequired CEUsCertification PeriodRecertification Fee
ACE Group Fitness Certification20 hours2 years$129
ACSM Certified Group Exercise Instructor45 hours3 years$45
AFAA Group Fitness Instructor15 hours2 years$99 or $399 (lifetime)
ISSA Certified Group Exercise Instructor20 hours2 yearsFREE
NASM Group Personal Training SpecializationNONENONENONE

Right away, we can see that ACSM has the heftiest CEU requirements, demanding 45 hours of continued education. At the same time, ACSM also has the widest certification window of all the limited certs.

It also has the cheapest recertification fee out of the ones that require payment.

That brings us to the outlier, which is NASM. Since the NASM GPTS is a CEU course itself, it has no recertification requirements and is a lifetime certification. That means all you’ll pay for is the initial registration.

ISSA is pretty standard in that it has a two-year validity period and requires 20 hours worth of CEUs, but the bonus here is that there is no recertification fee to worry about.

Of all the certifications with CEU requirements, AFAA is the most lenient, only asking for 15 hours of continuing education before the two-year expiration period.

Just remember to check each individual certifying agency’s preferred and approved CEU providers, as stepping outside this range can make recertifying a little more complicated than necessary.

Popularity and Recognition

While this isn’t exactly a popularity contest, the notoriety and reputability of cert will definitely influence how useful it is in your career as a group fitness instructor.

Right away, we can point out that as certifying agencies, ACE and NASM definitely hold the top spot, with ISSA coming behind in third.

ACSM is recognized in very high regard within the inner circle, so to speak. That’s because while it may not pluck the same mainstream strings as NASM or ACE, it is recognized as a legacy institution.

ACSM has been around longer than most other certifying academies and has such a strong heritage as an academic research hub that is, in fact, supplies a lot of the knowledge and data used to craft the curriculum of the other certs you see here.

The AFAA fitness certification sits on the lower end of the totem pole in terms of recognition and popularity.

That’s not to say it’s unpopular by any means. It’s just that this AFAA certification is not an NCCA accredited cert. Along with that, it is a subsidiary of NASM, the most popular certifying agency.

So nabbing an AFAA Group Fitness Certification is good enough, although it may not be your best in terms of industry recognition. 

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Average Income for Group Fitness Instructors

Your earning potential in the training business is a top priority.

It’s your job and business at the end of the day, so it’s important to understand what your income could or should look like.

Group fitness, and in particular, small group training or boot camps, can be a lucrative venture.

That’s because the format of training groups of people, as opposed to individuals, allows you to earn more while charging less.

Each individual client pays less for your services as a tradeoff to the lack of personalized instruction.

But with adequate numbers, you’ll essentially be making more per session than you would with private clients.

What’s more, because there’s no personalization attached to group fitness, less work is required with regard to assessment and programming.

Basically, you get a higher return overall when time and labor are factored in.

In the US, the average annual income for a Group Fitness Instructor is approximately $41,901/year, with some netting as high as $74k per year.

Factors that influence fitness trainer salary include:

  • Location
  • Years of experience
  • Education reputation (industry acceptance)
  • Educational relevance
  • Educational level (certification, diploma, college degree, etc.…)

Trainers with different fitness certification types, such as corrective exercise, wellness coaching, or weight management, tend to earn more, while trainers with a combination of qualifications, including relevant college degrees (i.e., bachelor’s degree in exercise science), are often in the top income bracket.

Hourly figures for a Group Fitness Trainer sit at $20.23.

This is lower than the average for one-on-one trainers who earn around $24/hour.

As we indicated, group fitness sessions tend to be cheaper per head than one-on-one sessions, resulting in a lower hourly average.

There are different ways to make money in fitness. To increase earning potential, a lot of personal trainers are learning how to do virtual personal training online. This is just as possible with group fitness classes across disciplines. So whether you become a cyclist instructor, certified yoga instructor, or just do basic fitness classes, you can teach people across the globe.

Pros vs. Cons

Next, we want to take a dive into each cert and look at the advantages and disadvantages each brings to the table.

This will help you decide on the best option when weighing up benefits and drawbacks against your own goals and circumstances.

CertificationProsCons
ACE Group Fitness Certification-Reputable and widely accepted by the industry
-Robust suite of study materials
-Reasonably priced with frequent promotions
-Limited scope when it comes to exercise methodology
-The exam is on the difficult end of the scale
ACSM Certified Group Exercise Instructor-Deep educational scope
-Great membership system with many useful benefits and resources
-Very reputable within the industry
-The cheapest option
-Initial purchase excludes study materials
-Very bare bones study material offering
AFAA Group Fitness Instructor-Very affordable
-Widest variety of study materials
-Lowers CEU requirements for recertification
-The least reputable of the 5 (although still NCCA accredited)
ISSA Certified Group Exercise Instructor-Best distance-based learning
-Simple but effective exam prep and study materials
-Most lenient exam administration 
-The most expensive option
-The exam is often considered “too easy”
NASM Group Personal Training Specialization-The most reputable certifying agency
-No recertification
Requirements affordable
-Study materials lack depth and variety

Our Top Picks

So what is the best certification for Group Fitness Instructors to get?

There is a lot to consider for these four certifications. ACE, ACSM, ISSA, and AFAA all bring a lot to the table for the average group fitness instructor.

ISSA, AFAA, ACE ACSM textbooks facing up and ready to compare

Having gone into the various certs and their pros and cons, we feel it’s fair to give a bit of an insider opinion.

Our Insight and experience with each of these certifications will help you arrive at a more informed decision, so let’s take a look:

Best For:Certifications
Deep evidence-based training methodologies and researchACSM NASM
Best for business and entrepreneurship in fitnessISSA AFAA
Best for general population trainingACE ISSA
Best companion to an existing PT certNASM AFAA
Best for nutritional support in group fitnessISSA
Best for group training for athletes (sports teams)ACSM NASM
Best for beginnersISSA AFAA
Best for established professionalsNASM ACE ISSA
Best for CEUsACSM NASM
Best for International CertificationISSA
Most RecognisedNASM ACE

In the end, it is up to you to decide what is the best Group Fitness Instructor certification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do you need a Personal Training Certification to get a Group Fitness Certification?

Most people will already be certified personal trainers prior to going for a Group Exercise Instructor certification. But, that doesn’t mean it is a prerequisite. Some associations will require it, but others will allow pursuing this as their own certification so that people may pursue a career in small and large group training. It is important to look at each of the associations in great detail to see if a personal trainer certification is a requirement to be a certified group fitness trainer.

How hard are the Group Fitness Certification Exams?

The exam difficulties vary a bit, with each certifying organization having its own ways of testing individuals. But, in general, the group fitness certifications are not too challenging if properly studied for. The exams are not as hard as other exercise certifications like strength and conditioning and personal training. When these certifications are pursued when someone already has a training certification of some kind, it is made much easier as the concepts transfer over easily.

What are the most popular group fitness classes?

Going by statistics, the most popular form of group fitness is yoga. But, there are many forms of group fitness that instructors can look to work in. Some of the other extremely popular fitness classes in health clubs are kickboxing, pilates, HIIT, aerobics, Zumba, indoor cycling, barre, and other exercise classes. Group classes are constantly growing in popularity as they are a fun way to get fit and build a community.

Are group fitness certifications worth it?

Group trainer certifications are worth it due to the growth in the fitness and health industry over the past few years. It is made even more valuable when this certification is put along with other training certifications to expand the experience and abilities of the exercise professional. Teaching group exercise classes can be a good way to build a community and find fulfillment in leading groups.

What group fitness certification is the best?

The best certification for group fitness instructors to get is the one that best suits you and your career goals.

What are the requirements to become a certified Group Fitness Instructor?

Prerequisites are similar across the board: to become a certified Group Fitness Instructor, you must be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or the equivalent (GED), have current and valid first aid, AED, and CPR certification, and also have a valid government-issued form of ID, such as a driver’s license or a passport.

What are some of the common group fitness classes or settings?

The best group fitness Instructors can help people with workouts of any kind, whether it is a group muscle building or toning class or, more commonly, a group class like spinning or cycle classes, swimming, and other forms of cardio. There are even flexibility, human movement classes, specific workshops, or weight loss classes for groups. Some gym classes even include elements you’d see in common training programs like goal setting and 1RM percentages to measure performance. 

Conclusion

We are aware that it could be a tough call to choose which group fitness certification is the best one.

That’s why we’ve gathered all of the best, most reputable group fitness certification programs overall.

Each certification program is NCCA-accredited, which is a gold standard of accreditation in the fitness industry, except for ISSA.

However, you can purchase an NCCA-accredited ISSA-CPT exam. This is recommended.

Just be sure that the program you choose is the best one for you!

We wish you nothing but the best on your quest to become a certified Group Fitness Instructor! Go out there and change some lives.

References

  1. Santos AC, Turner TJ, Bycura DK. Current and Future Trends in Strength and Conditioning for Female Athletes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022;19(5):2687. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052687
  2. ‌Yorks DM, Frothingham CA, Schuenke MD. Effects of Group Fitness Classes on Stress and Quality of Life of Medical Students. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. 2017;117(11):e17. doi: https://doi.org/10.7556/jaoa.2017.140
  3. ‌Graupensperger S, Gottschall JS, Benson AJ, Eys M, Hastings B, Evans MB. Perceptions of groupness during fitness classes positively predict recalled perceptions of exertion, enjoyment, and affective valence: An intensive longitudinal investigation. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology. 2019;8(3):290-304. doi: https://doi.org/10.1037/spy0000157

Leave us a comment and we will reply ASAP

2 thoughts on “Best Group Fitness Certification In 2024”

    • Hey Daniel I hope you are well. All of the group exercise certifications teach a wide variety of different classes that you can teach and best practices to do so. So this would apply to kickboxing as well. I hope that helps.

      Reply
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